THE PERSON I KNOW BEST?
How well do we know ourselves? Do we understand what makes us tick? Take a moment to stop and think about the things that defi ne us.
INTERESTS
Some people easily pursue their passions. They’ve always been wild about reading or football. But what if we are not really sure what our thing is? Maybe we could think about the times in the last few weeks when we have felt absorbed by something, or remember the things we used to get a kick out of when we were children. They might turn into a lifelong hobby or even a career.
VALUES
What values do we set great store by? Do we prize spontaneity or stability? Are we rather laid-back or strong-willed? How crucial is commitment? How highly do we rate tactfulness over frankness? When we know this, we can consider whether the choices we make are in line with these values.
POSSESSIONS
What kind of car would we ideally plump for? Maybe we always buy the same type of phone? These sorts of decisions can also say a lot about us. Or maybe we are not that into possessions themselves, but have a small collection of items with real sentimental value. The things we surround ourselves with can also defi ne us, which is why we might find new friends checking out our books or photograph collection.
CIRCLE
Who do we choose to spend time with? Our ‘circle’ is a key part of our identity. We like hanging out with like-minded people. If you haven’t found your circle yet, be more open-minded – get out there, try some new things and meet some new people. When we know these things, it’s easier to be ourselves and to fi nd careers and the circle that we really click with.
1 1.2 Which aspects of identity are shown in photos A–D? Listen to three people being asked to describe themselves. What aspects of their identity does each person mention?
Answers
Carrie: where she comes from and where her family originally
came from
Majeda: her job
Asma: being a student, her siblings and her identify as a fan of
Nadia Alkanafani
2 THINK BACK In pairs, decide which adjectives in the box describe each speaker from Exercise 1.
|
capable compassionate dedicated defensive enthusiastic passionate resilient self-aware tough trustworthy underconfident |
Suggested answers
Carrie: self-aware, dedicated, passionate, underconfident
Majeda: capable, compassionate, dedicated, tough, resilient,
trustworthy
Asma: dedicated, passionate, enthusiastic, defensive
Compound adjectives (personality)
3 1.2 Match the words from box A with the words from box B to make compound adjectives. Listen to the recording again and decide which adjectives you would use to describe the speakers.
|
A absent forward high highly kind laid like narrow strong thin tight |
|
B back fisted hearted looking minded (x3) skinned spirited strung willed |
Answers
absent-minded, forward-looking, high-spirited, highly strung,
kind-hearted, laid-back, like-minded, narrow-minded,
strong-willed, thin-skinned, tight-fisted
Carrie: high-spirited
Laila: kind-hearted
Asma: strong-willed
ACTIVE VOCABULARY| Compound adjectives
A compound adjective is made up of more than one word, but describes a single idea. There are many possible ways of forming compound adjectives:
• adjective + adjective, e.g., red-hot
• adverb + adjective, e.g., hard-working, forward-looking
• noun + adjective, e.g., lifelong, world-famous
• adjective + noun, e.g., full-time, cutting-edge
• adjective + gerund, e.g., good-looking
• adverb + past participle, e.g., highly strung
• noun + gerund, e.g., eye-catching
• noun + past participle, e.g., olive oil-based
• prefix + adjective, e.g., underconfident, overcooked
4 SPEAKING Would you use the adjectives from Exercises 2 and 3 to describe yourself? Why/Why not?
Answers
Students’ own answers
5 Read the article about identity on page 4. In pairs, discuss the questions.
1 Why is it important to get to know yourself?
2 Which of the four elements of identity do you find most important? Say why.
Answers
1 Knowing yourself makes it easier to get the life you want.
2 Students’ own answers
Personality adjectives and values
6 Find five nouns in the text that describe different values and form adjectives from them.
passion – passionate
Answers
spontaneity – spontaneous, stability – stable, commitment –
committed, tactfulness – tactful, frankness – frank
7 Make nouns from the adjectives in the box. Use a dictionary if necessary.
|
discreet humble inclusive merciful sincere assertive |
Answers
assertiveness, discretion, humility, inclusiveness/inclusivity,
mercy, sincerity
Fixed expressions
8 Match the highlighted expressions from the text with the definitions.
1 Feel
excitement and enjoyment get a kick out of
2 Not be very keen on something
3 Match with
4 Makes us behave in a certain way
5 Hit it off with someone
6 Reveal our traits
7 Be crazy about something
8 Choose
9 Consider something to be important
Answers
2 be not that into
3 be in line with
4 makes us tick
5 click with
6 say a lot about us
7 be wild about
8 plump for
9 set great store by
9 Look at the highlighted expressions again and complete the questions with no more than four words in each gap. Then discuss them in pairs.
1 Would you............. a day out or a day in bed? Say why.
2 Can your clothes ………………..you? Why/Why not?
3 What cartoon characters were you………………..as a kid?
Answers
1 plump for
2 say a lot about
3 wild about
Students’ own answers
